Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Overview

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has finally launched the facelifted 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, now narrowed down to just two variants with a regular combustion engine. The Plug-in hybrid model is ‘not available yet’ and could return given improvements in the incentives for auto assemblers.

For the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift range, two variants are on offer – E200 Avantgarde and E300 AMG Line, priced at RM 326,943 and RM 375,432 respectively, and locally assembled in Pekan, Pahang. This price range puts it in direct competition with the usual suspects BMW 5 Series, Lexus ES, Volvo S90 and Jaguar XF.  

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Exterior

The facelifted 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class changed the outlook of the front and rear of the original vehicle launched in 2017. Upfront, there are new, slimmer designed LED headlights, with a redesigned grille while the rear gets two-piece horizontal styled tail lamps and a reworked bumper design. The bonnet has allegedly been reprofiled too.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class E200 gets the Avantgarde styling pack with a rather fussy grille design that tries to combine the traditional twin-horizontal bar with ‘panamericana’ vertical slats, 18-inch wheels (same 245/45R18 tyre sizes at all corners) and a simple front bumper design with full-width mesh pattern and thick chrome trim. Headlamps meanwhile are the LED High Performance units.

As for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300, it wears the AMG Line exterior pack with sportier front and rear bumpers, side skirt extensions, the older diamond pin grille pattern and adds Multibeam LED headlights, and larger 19-inch AMG alloy wheels with staggered tyre sizing, with the front tyres in 245/40R19 size and rear tyres measuring 275/35R19. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300 AMG Line also adds a panoramic sliding sunroof.  

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Interior

Dashboard

In this 2021 facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class range, both variants of the E200 and E300 continue to have the Widescreen Cockpit (two 12.3-inch screens) with the latest MBUX software powering them. Being the AMG Line in the E300, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets the dashboard and upper sections of the door panels lined with Artico material (simulated leather) and contrasting double stitching. 

The central trim is meanwhile full open-pore black ash wood trim. The classic and understated wood trim also lines the door panels. The steering wheel gets upgraded to a high-tech looking AMG sports steering wheel wrapped with Nappa leather. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class E200 Avantgarde meanwhile has an updated three-spoke steering wheel and silver aluminium trim.

The analogue clock that was once a key piece of mechanism in a Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been removed, even in the E300 AMG Line. The central commander dial at the lower console has been discontinued with the fitment of the latest generation MBUX system, replaced with a large and simplified touchpad.

Instrument cluster

Space and practicality

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Features

Safety features

The new Mercedes me connected service is also standard fitted. This makes the Mercedes-Benz E-Class connected to a dedicated service provider and some key features can be accessed from the smartphone app. A dedicated SOS button is located at the overhead switch panel.

Comfort features

Two USB charging ports (Type C) are located inside the centre armrest for the front occupants, while the rear passengers access another two similar charging ports plus a 12-volt outlet under the rear air-conditioning duct. 

The Mercedes-Benz E300 AMG Line gets a three-zone automatic air-conditioning system, two-piece panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery and nicer looking door panels thanks to Artico wrapping and black ash wood trim. Artico simulated leather is used on the seat upholstery of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E200 Avantgarde.

Infotainment

The audio system in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is used to separate the E200 Avantgarde and E300 AMG Line. The latter gets the Burmester 13-speaker, 590-Watt surround sound system maintaining the intricately designed metallic speaker grilles. 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Powertrain

Engine

Transmission

Chassis

Drivetrain

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Driving Performance

Engine performance

Transmission performance

Steering and handling

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

Passenger comfort

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Fuel Economy

Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Conclusion

The new rear design certainly provides a clear separation and identity. Although only two variants, the facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class targets very specific groups of buyers as well as budget allocation. It remains to be seen when will Mercedes-Benz Malaysia reintroduce the E300e plug-in hybrid with the full AMG package.